Basement Insulation in Norfolk County

Basements were never really used as living spaces years ago. The space was reserved for the wash machine, dryer, hot water tank, and HVAC equipment. The remaining space was for basically for storage. Basements were damp and musty – not a very livable place. The walls were mainly cement – there was no insulation to speak of – and there was barely any drywall. But in the last few decades, things have changed. The basement has been dramatically transformed into a living space that is both comfortable and family friendly. And in Norfolk County, basement insulation is a great beginning to basement transformation.

Every basement becomes functional and livable in its own unique way. For some, it might be an additional washroom; for others, an additional bedroom; and for others, an office space for a home business. For some, an apartment suite would be the best use of space. But in every case, creating a comfortable space is the key. And comfort is a result of a properly insulated space. The properly insulated basement is the one that keeps warm throughout the winter, and cool throughout the summer. For residential homeowners in Norfolk County, basement insulation is also the key to conserving energy and saving on utilities.

Interestingly, the typical homeowner still doesn’t fully understand all of the benefits of basement insulation.  In fact, for many industry professionals, basement insulation is considered a more important component of the indoor environment than some other parts of the home. For them, a top-quality insulation product, along with an expert installation, will bring more benefits to the typical home than many other renovations. This is particularly true when a basement insulation project is compared to some of the more common renovation projects - like a complete kitchen upgrade, a washroom update, or even new flooring.

In terms of project costs, basement insulation is unquestionably a worthwhile investment. Installing a high quality insulation product, and having it expertly installed, will benefit the entire indoor environment. Air movement (as well as air leakage) will be constrained - R-Values (the measurement of thermal resistance) will be considerably enhanced – and undesirable moisture will be prevented from gathering. As well, the HVAC equipment (heat/cool) will work at an improved level of efficiency.  Everything considered, a properly insulated basement could deliver significant annual savings on seasonal utility bills.

Is insulating the basement considered a good investment?

Compared to all of the other renovation options, insulating the basement is one of the better ones. A good installation, with a quality product, can significantly reduce heating and cooling costs from one season to the next, with total annual savings that make for a good investment.

What would a professional recommend for good R-Value?

Overall, professionals concur that the higher the R-Value, the better the outcome. Clearly, the same applies for basement insulation, where a high R-Value means better thermal resistance. But realistically, everything ultimately depends on the size of basement and scope of work.

When insulation work is complete, are there cost savings?

When the basement is insulated with a spray foam product, measurable savings are assured from season to season. This is especially true when temperatures are in the extremes. In short, a well-insulated space will contribute to both energy conservation and savings on utilities.

Is there a building code to follow for basement insulation?

Building codes differ with the building type and the scope of work. For instance, new construction will have different codes than renovations or retrofits. But in every case, a reliable insulation contractor will always work according to the building code and will not take shortcuts.

Is preparation needed prior to doing basement insulation?

The biggest issue in a basement is water entry. This is a problem that needs resolution before undertaking any insulation work whatsoever. And regardless of the severity, a water entry problem must be resolved comprehensively. This is not a time or place for taking shortcuts.

How do “difficult-to-reach” areas get properly insulated?

In most cases, a basement will have some “difficult-to-reach” spots – spaces that are hard to reach and just as hard to insulate. Not every product can do the job properly, although spray foam has proven effective. It covers, seals and insulates like no other product on the market.

In Norfolk County, basement insulation is best expedited with a good insulation contractor. At Great Northern Insulation, recommendations for the homeowner will reflect the product and installation that best suits the job. In recent years, the GNI team has been routinely recommending spray foam - an insulation option that has become quite popular in basement applications. One good install does it all, providing an excellent vapor barrier, a superior air barrier, and high R-Values.

Professionals contend that the best insulation begins with the basement floor. With this install, spray foam is applied throughout the floor, and covered over with a conventional layer of concrete. In this way, the floor is totally sealed and insulated with one application. For the basement walls, the aim is to make it all airtight.  And with spray foam, it’s possible to accomplish several things at one time - an airtight space - restricted air leakage - limited moisture accumulation – and thermal resistance.

The properly insulated basement is certain to conserve energy. And for the typical homeowner, conserving energy means reducing utility bills. For the professionals, the spray foam product delivers better overall results than other products, and it’s all done with a single application. A good installer creates the required airtightness, the effective vapor barrier, and the effective air barrier, all at one time. As for insulation value, spray foam has the highest R-Value rating of any other product.

As a high-quality, premium product, spray foam insulation is not always suited for every budget. A good alternative, available from Great Northern Insulation, is the so-called “hybrid” installation. It’s a combination install using spray foam and fiberglass “batts”. Working together, the products deliver excellent results, with measurable short term and long term benefits. But best of all, the “hybrid” approach provides homeowners with a cost-effective alternative, well suited for all budgets.